LED, LCD and plasma TV: Watch BBC iPlayer on TV

Since the BBC’s iPlayer won a Which? Innovation Award in 2009 the service has gone from strength to strength, ‘making the unmissable, unmissable’ on an ever-widening variety of platforms and devices - from smartphones to games consoles. 

And as part of that migration the iPlayer catch-up TV service has moved from being principally viewed on computer screens to the bigger, more sociable TV screens. So with so many ways to watch iPlayer on your TV, which should you choose, what do you need, and how do you connect it all up to watch iPlayer?

The iPlayer interface on most of these devices is different to the one you'll see in a web browser. iPlayer menus are optimised to view on a larger TV screen, and for easier navigation using a remote control rather than a mouse and keyboard. The iPlayer TV service lets you watch catch-up iPlayer programmes, but not live TV streams or radio programmes, as you can with the computer-based version.

The Freesat version of iPlayer is optimised to make it easy to search for programmes using your remote

Freesat HD TVs

The simplest way to watch BBC iPlayer on your TV is if your TV already includes a tuner for a service that includes iPlayer. At present, that means an internet-enabled Freesat HD TV - it’s only the high-definition Freesat TVs that are capable of connecting to iPlayer. Freesat TVs 

If you’ve got a Freesat HD TV, you’ll need to have connected your TV to your broadband service, either via an ethernet cable, or over wi-fi if your TV offers this feature. You’ll need broadband - officially at least 1Mbps - and the faster the better to avoid glitches and stuttery playback. 2Mbps is the minimum broadband speed to watch high quality iPlayer video streams.

Select a BBC channel (not CBBC or Cbeebies), press the Red Button on your remote control, and choose BBC iPlayer from the menu. iPlayer may then take a few seconds to load.  iPlayer is also accessible on channel 901.

Use our expert TV reviews to find a Freesat HD TV with built-in BBC iPlayer

Set-top boxes

Freesat HD set-top boxes

Freesat HD (not standard definition) set-top boxes can receive BBC iPlayer. To access BBC iPlayer select BBC1, press the Red Button on your remote control, and choose BBC iPlayer from the 'On Demand' or 'Interactive' menu. iPlayer is also accessible on channel 901.

iPlayer is available on Virgin Media TiVo boxes

Virgin Media

If you’re using a Virgin ‘Powered by TiVo’ PVR, BBC iPlayer is found in the ‘Apps and Games’ directory. On a Virgin Media set-top box, choose 'BBC iPlayer' on the 'Catch-up TV' menu. Virgin Media TV subscribers can watch iPlayer HD content with a Virgin Media V+ HD box and an HD-ready TV.

BT Vision

BT Vision is currently rolling out BBC iPlayer to its customers on Channel 990, with all active BT Vision set-top boxes expected to be capable of receiving iPlayer by June 2011.

iPlayer on other TV platforms

If you’ve got a 3view Freeview HD PVR, Fetch TV Smartbox or Boxee box, these also give access to iPlayer.

Blu-ray disc players

Some models of Blu-ray disc players and home-cinema systems include iPlayer functionality. iPlayer-compatible Blu-ray players are primarily Sony and Philips models. They will first need to be connected to your home broadband network. BBC iPlayer will appear as a menu item.

Our home networking guide can help you connect a Blu-ray player to your home broadband

Some smartphones have mini-HDMI output sockets so you can connect them to a TV to watch BBC iPlayer

Tablets and smartphones

Many tablets and smartphones are also capable of accessing BBC iPlayer, and some of these can output the on-screen picture to a compatible TV. Some of the latest smartphones incorporate mini-HDMI sockets which can be connected to the HDMI input of a TV. Alternatively, if both your TV and mobile device are DLNA-compatible you may be able to wirelessly stream iPlayer to your TV. If your TV has DLNA, however, it’s also likely you can access iPlayer directly via an internet connection..

Desktops, laptops and netbooks

iPlayer is accessible through a web browser on PC, Mac and Linux computers, so a simple way to watch iPlayer on your TV is to connect your computer to your TV. Connect the video output from your internet-connected PC to the TV using either a VGA or HDMI cable. You’ll need to connect the sound and video signals separately if using a VGA connection, but HDMI cables should, if connected correctly, be able to carry both. To watch iPlayer on the TV, use the iPlayer website or desktop application as normal on the PC, and set your display settings so that the TV is used as the primary display for the iPlayer's video window. 

Games consoles

BBC iPlayer is available as a downloadable channel on the Wii Shop Channel

Nintendo Wii

First connect your Wii to your broadband service via wi-fi. Use the Wiimote to select the Wii Shop Channel on the Wii’s main menu screen. Search for the free BBC iPlayer app and download it. You’ll need to have enough free memory blocks on your Wii - if necessary move some games or channels onto an SD memory card.

If you can’t find the iPlayer in the Shop Channel, you may need to update your Wii’s firmware (go to Wii Options - Wii Settings - Wii System Update). Once installed, you can run BBC iPlayer channel from the Wii Channels menu.

Sony PS3

Connect your PS3 to your broadband service and to your TV using an HDMI cable. Check that your PS3 console is running at least version 3.0 firmware (go to Settings - System Settings - System Information). Choose the TV menu option, and select BBC iPlayer.

Microsoft Xbox

There’s currently no way for Xbox owners to watch BBC iPlayer via their consoles.

Other catch-up TV services are available - read our guide to online TV to find out more about ITV Player, 4oD and Demand Five